The KNU spokesman Pado Saw Taw Ni asks anyone using the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asian Highway in Karen State to adhere to a statement issued by the Karen National Union (KNU).

The KNU announced on March 26 that it would suspend the usage of the Kawkareik-Myawaddy Asian Highway and the Myawaddy-Wal lay Road due to the overwhelming military presence in Dooplaya District under the control of KNU Brigade 6.

Currently, traffic on the highway is continuing, with cars being set ablaze and fighting between the two sides resulting in civilian casualties.

The KNU should do what it should militarily because the Asian Highway is the major path utilized by the military council to increase its military presence, said KNU spokesman Pado Saw Taw Ni, and he renewed his demand for the people to participate as much as possible.

"We have to do this because our enemies are using this road. It has already been mentioned in our statement. In military action, we cannot ‘let the snake alive while keeping the stick unbroken’. Therefore, we want the people to participate,” spokesman Pado Saw Taw Ni added.

In addition, the military council has been using civilian vehicles to march via the Asian Highway, pretending to be civilians, thus increasing the number of military troops in the 6th Brigade area.

“The KNU cannot sit by and watch the military council's conduct; it must take action. People must avoid doing what they should and exercise caution," he said.

On the KNU-banned Kawkareik-Myawaddy Asian Highway and the Myawaddy-Wal Lay segment of the road, clashes between the two factions have risen. Some vehicles on the Asia Highway were set ablaze and at least four civilians killed.